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Why patients with psychosis use cannabis remains debated. The self-medication hypothesis has received some support but other evidence points towards an alleviation of dysphoria model. This study investigated the reasons for cannabis use in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and whether strength in their endorsement changed over time.

Methods:

FEP inpatients and outpatients at the South London and Maudsley, Oxleas and Sussex NHS Trusts UK, who used cannabis, rated their motives at baseline (n = 69), 3 months (n = 29) and 12 months (n = 36). A random intercept model was used to test the change in strength of endorsement over the 12 months. Paired-sample t-tests assessed the differences in mean scores between the five subscales on the Reasons for Use Scale (enhancement, social motive, coping with unpleasant affect, conformity and acceptance and relief of positive symptoms and side effects), at each time-point.

Results:

Time had a significant effect on scores when controlling for reason; average scores on each subscale were higher at baseline than at 3 months and 12 months. At each time-point, patients endorsed ‘enhancement’ followed by ‘coping with unpleasant affect’ and ‘social motive’ more highly for their cannabis use than any other reason. ‘Conformity and acceptance’ followed closely. ‘Relief of positive symptoms and side effects’ was the least endorsed motive.

Conclusions:

Patients endorsed their reasons for use at 3 months and 12 months less strongly than at baseline. Little support for the self-medication or alleviation of dysphoria models was found. Rather, patients rated ‘enhancement’ most highly for their cannabis use.

Grape marc (GPM) is a viticulture by-product that is rich in secondary compounds, including condensed tannins (CT), and is used as a supplement in livestock feeding practices. The aim of this study was to determine whether feeding GPM to lactating dairy cows would alter the milk proteome through changes in nitrogen (N) partitioning. Ten lactating Holstein cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) top-dressed with either 1.5 kg dry matter (DM)/cow/day GPM (GPM group; n = 5) or 2.0 kg DM/cow/day of a 50:50 beet pulp: soy hulls mix (control group; n = 5). Characterization of N partitioning and calculation of N partitioning was completed through analysis of plasma urea-N, urine, feces, and milk urea-N. Milk samples were collected for general composition analysis, HPLC quantification of the high abundance milk proteins (including casein isoforms, α-lactalbumin, and β-lactoglobulin) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the low abundance protein enriched milk fraction. No differences in DMI, N parameters, or calculated N partitioning were observed across treatments. Dietary treatment did not affect milk yield, milk protein or fat content or yield, or the concentrations of high abundance milk proteins quantified by HPLC analysis. Of the 127 milk proteins that were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis, 16 were affected by treatment, including plasma proteins and proteins associated with the blood-milk barrier, suggesting changes in mammary passage. Immunomodulatory proteins, including butyrophilin subfamily 1 member 1A and serum amyloid A protein, were higher in milk from GPM-fed cows. Heightened abundance of bioactive proteins in milk caused by dietary-induced shifts in mammary passage could be a feasible method to enhance the healthfulness of milk for both the milk-fed calf and human consumer. Additionally, the proteome shifts observed in this trial could provide a starting point for the identification of biomarkers suitable for use as indicators of mammary function.

Maternal mental health during pregnancy and postpartum predicts later emotional and behavioural problems in children. Even though most perinatal mental health problems begin before pregnancy, the consequences of preconception maternal mental health for children's early emotional development have not been prospectively studied.

Methods

We used data from two prospective Australian intergenerational cohorts, with 756 women assessed repeatedly for mental health problems before pregnancy between age 13 and 29 years, and during pregnancy and at 1 year postpartum for 1231 subsequent pregnancies. Offspring infant emotional reactivity, an early indicator of differential sensitivity denoting increased risk of emotional problems under adversity, was assessed at 1 year postpartum.

Results

Thirty-seven percent of infants born to mothers with persistent preconception mental health problems were categorised as high in emotional reactivity, compared to 23% born to mothers without preconception history (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.1). Ante- and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms were similarly associated with infant emotional reactivity, but these perinatal associations reduced somewhat after adjustment for prior exposure. Causal mediation analysis further showed that 88% of the preconception risk was a direct effect, not mediated by perinatal exposure.

Conclusions

Maternal preconception mental health problems predict infant emotional reactivity, independently of maternal perinatal mental health; while associations between perinatal depressive symptoms and infant reactivity are partially explained by prior exposure. Findings suggest that processes shaping early vulnerability for later mental disorders arise well before conception. There is an emerging case for expanding developmental theories and trialling preventive interventions in the years before pregnancy.

There is lack of evidence on the differential impact of maternal macronutrient consumption: carbohydrates (CHO), fats and protein on birth weight. We investigated the association between maternal dietary macronutrient intakes and their sub-components such as saccharides and fatty acids and birth weight. This analyses included 1,196 women with singleton pregnancies who were part of the CAffeine and REproductive health study in Leeds, UK between 2003 and 2006. Women were interviewed in each trimester. Dietary information was collected twice using a 24-h dietary recall about 8–12 weeks and 13–27 weeks of gestation. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for alcohol and smoking in trimester 1, showed that each additional 10 g/d CHO consumption was associated with an increase of 4 g (95 % CI 1, 7; P=0·003) in birth weight. Conversely, an additional 10 g/d fat intake was associated with a lower birth weight of 8 g (95 % CI 0, 16; P=0·04) when we accounted for energy contributing macronutrients in each model, and maternal height, weight, parity, ethnicity, gestational age at delivery and sex of the baby. There was no evidence of an association between protein intake and birth weight. Maternal diet in trimester 2 suggested that higher intakes of glucose (10 g/d) and lactose (1 g/d) were both associated with higher birth weight of 52 g (95 % CI 4, 100; P=0·03) and 5 g (95 % CI 2, 7; P<0·001) respectively. These results show that dietary macronutrient composition during pregnancy is associated with birth weight outcomes. An appropriately balanced intake of dietary CHO and fat during pregnancy could support optimum birth weight.

The main limitation for determining feed efficiency of freely grazing ruminants is measurement of daily individual feed intake. This paper describes an investigation that assessed a method for estimating intake of forage based on changes in BW of ewes. A total of 24 dry and non-pregnant Romane ewes (12 hoggets, HOG; mean±SD 51.8±2.8 kg BW; body condition score (BCS) 2.6±0.2; and 12 adults, ADU; 60.4±8.5 kg BW; BCS 2.7±0.8) were selected for the study and moved from their rangeland system to a confined pen with controlled conditions and equipped with individual automatic feeders. The experiment lasted for 28 days (21 days adaptation and 7 days feed intake measurement). Ewes were fed hay and trained to use the electronic feeders (one feeding station per ewe) in which actual daily intake (Hintake24) was measured. The pens were designed to maximize movement of trained ewes through an automated Walk-over-Weighing device, by using water and mineral salts as attractants. Total individual intake of hay measured in the automatic feeder at each meal (Hintake) was compared with indirect estimates of feed intake determined using differences in the BW of the ewes (∆BW) before and 1 h following morning and afternoon feeding at fixed times. The BW, BCS, Hintake, Hintake24, as well as plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and insulin profiles were determined. The BW was higher in ADU v. HOG but BCS was not affected by parity. The Hintake24 was affected by day of experiment as a consequence of reduced availability and intake of water on one day. Plasma glucose, NEFA and insulin were not affected by parity or day of experiment. The HIntake was and ∆BW tended to be higher in the morning in HOG, whereas Hintake was and ∆BW tended to be higher in ADU at the afternoon meal. Irrespective of parity or feeding time, there was very strong correlation (r2=0.93) between Hintake and ∆BW. This relationship confirms that our indirect method of estimating individual forage intake was reliable within the strictly controlled conditions of the present experiment. The method appears suitable for use in short-term intensive group feeding situations, and has potential to be further developed for longer-term forage intake studies, with a view to developing a method for freely grazing ruminants.

Fe deficiency anaemia during early pregnancy has been linked with low birth
weight and preterm birth. However, this evidence comes mostly from studies
measuring Hb levels rather than specific measures of Fe deficiency. The present
study aimed to examine the association between maternal Fe status during the
first trimester of pregnancy, as assessed by serum ferritin, transferrin
receptor and their ratio, with size at birth and preterm birth. In the Baby VIP
(Baby's Vascular health and Iron in Pregnancy) study, we recruited 362
infants and their mothers after delivery in Leeds, UK. Biomarkers were measured
in maternal serum samples previously obtained in the first trimester of
pregnancy. The cohort included sixty-four (18 %) small for gestational
age (SGA) babies. Thirty-three babies were born preterm (9 %; between 34
and 37 weeks). First trimester maternal Fe depletion was associated with a
higher risk of SGA (adjusted OR 2·2, 95 % CI 1·1,
4·1). This relationship was attenuated when including early pregnancy Hb
in the model, suggesting it as a mediator (adjusted OR 1·6, 95 %
CI 0·8, 3·2). For every 10 g/l increase in maternal Hb
level in the first half of pregnancy the risk of SGA was reduced by 30 %
(adjusted 95 % CI 0, 40 %); levels below 110 g/l were
associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of SGA (95 % CI 1·0,
9·0). There was no evidence of association between maternal Fe depletion
and preterm birth (adjusted OR 1·5, 95 % 0·6, 3·8).
The present study shows that depleted Fe stores in early pregnancy are
associated with higher risk of SGA.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) can improve meat product quality through its impact on flavour and juiciness. High marbling cuts can command premium prices in some countries and grading systems, but there is substantial cost involved in choosing to grain feed animals in an effort to deposit more IMF. There would be value in developing methods to predict predisposition to ‘marble’ well. Unfortunately, the biological mechanisms underpinning marbling remain a mystery: the key adipocyte cell populations have not been defined, there are no reliable DNA markers, no known (if any) causal mutations and gene expression analyses in the main have tended to characterise increases in expression of end-point fat metabolism proteins such as the fatty acid-binding proteins. To shed light on expression-based markers of marbling potential, we contrasted LD gene expression in high IMF Wagyu cross animals with a low IMF Piedmontese cross at various time points. The expected divergence in the fat metabolism genes FABP4, THRSP, CIDEC and ACACA between the breeds occurs surprisingly late in postnatal development at about 20 months. On the other hand, divergent expression of WISP2, RAI14 and CYP4F2 was discovered in animals at or before 12 months of age, suggesting these genes may have potential as earlier predictors of marbling potential. In line with other researchers, we found intriguing links between IMF development and connective tissue remodelling. WISP2 – a novel adipokine highly expressed and secreted by adipose precursor cells and an inhibitor of the pro-fibrotic connective tissue growth factor – emerges as a particularly attractive candidate. It is relatively upregulated in high marbling Wagyu before admission to feedlotting, somewhere between 7 and 12 months. This difference is subsequently maintained until 25 months, but not thereafter. RAI14, thought to play a role in porcine adipocyte differentiation and with links to retinoic acid metabolism, has an unusual expression profile. Its expression level increases monotonically with postnatal development, and is always higher in Wagyu than Piedmontese. Strong, sustained upregulation of the anti-inflammatory CYP4F2 in Piedmontese is consistent with Wagyu adiposity being a pro-inflammatory state. Application of regulatory impact factor analysis, a network method for identifying causal effector molecules, suggests marbling roles for transcription factors previously implicated in (1) the formation of liposarcoma (unconstrained fatty masses) (YEATS4, MDM2), (2) adipogenesis (CREBL2, SP1, STAT1) and (3) inflammation (ISGF3G, HOXB13, PML).

We investigated whether straight-line distance from residential compounds to healthcare facilities influenced mortality, the incidence of pneumonia and vaccine efficacy against pneumonia in rural Gambia. Clinical surveillance for pneumonia was conducted on 6938 children living in the catchment areas of the two largest healthcare facilities. Deaths were monitored by three-monthly home visits. Children living >5 km from the two largest healthcare facilities had a 2·78 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·74–4·43] times higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to children living within 2 km of these facilities. The observed rate of clinical and radiological pneumonia was lower in children living >5 km from these facilities compared to those living within 2 km [rate ratios 0·65 (95% CI 0·57–0·73) and 0·74 (95% CI 0·55–0·98), respectively]. There was no association between distance and estimated pneumococcal vaccine efficacy. Geographical access to healthcare services is an important determinant of survival and pneumonia in children in rural Gambia.

In an inter-laboratory survey, the pour plate, surface spread, agar droplet and spiral plate methods were used in parallel with the surface drop method for enumeration of micro-organisms in foods. Good agreement was obtained between all surface methods of enumeration, but there was poor agreement between molten agar methods and the surface drop method.

A total of 1143 samples of food that were ready for consumption at the point of retail sale were examined. Eight types of food products were chosen: meat pasties, sausage rolls, real-cream slices, synthetic-cream slices, mayonnaise-based coleslaws, faggots, patés and continental sausages. The results of this survey suggest that the upper limit for an acceptable viable count should vary according to the food product. Salmonellae were not isolated on any occasion. Potentially harmful organisms were not isolated at levels expected to constitute a public health hazard.

Information concerning the nature of the product, the total viable count, the presence or absence of pathogenic, toxigenic or indicator organisms, the spectrum of the bacterial flora and the relative predominance of each organism must all be considered when assessing the microbiological acceptability of retail ‘ready to eat’ products.

The use of the methylene blue test for the examination of cows milk was investigated in an inter-laboratory survey. A poor relationship was found between results of these tests and total viable counts. Coliforms were detected in a large number of pasteurized milks, indicating frequent post-pasteurization contamination. No relationship was found between the results of the methylene blue test and the presence of coliforms.

Results from this survey highlight the need for reappraisal of the methylene blue test as a statutory method for the examination of milk. A total viable count and coliform test are suggested for providing information regarding dairy hygiene and the quality of the product at the point of retail sale.

In an inter-laboratory survey, 148 samples of cooked prawns and shrimps were obtained at the point of sale to the consumer. Salmonellae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not detected. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from three samples. Results for total viable count and presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus complied well with available guidelines for imported cooked prawns, suggesting that the risk of food poisoning from retail samples of these foods in the South of England is minimal.

Strains ofSalmonella enteritidis, S. typhimurium and S. senftenberg inoculated into the yolks of shell eggs were found to survive forms of cooking where some of the yolk remained liquid. Survival was largely independent of the size of the initial inoculum. The organisms also grew rapidly in eggs stored at room temperature and after 2 days the number of cells per gram of yolk exceeded log 8·0. With this level of contamination viable cells could be recovered from eggs cooked in any manner.

Studies on the effects of caffeine on health, while numerous, have produced inconsistent results. One of the most uncertain and controversial effects is on pregnancy outcome. Studies have produced conflicting results due to a number of methodological variations. The major challenge is the accurate assessment of caffeine intake. The aim of the present study was to explore different methods of assessing caffeine exposure in pregnant women. Twenty-four healthy pregnant women from the UK city of Leeds completed both a detailed questionnaire, the caffeine assessment tool (CAT) designed specifically to assess caffeine intake and a prospective 3 d food and drink diary. The women also provided nine saliva samples over two consecutive days for estimation of caffeine and a metabolite (paraxanthine). Caffeine intakes from the CAT and diary showed adequate agreement (intra-class correlation coefficient of 0·5). For saliva caffeine and paraxanthine measures, the between-sample variation (within the same woman) was greater than between-woman and between-day variation. However, there was still adequate agreement between these measures and the CAT. The CAT is a valuable tool that is now being used in a large prospective study investigating caffeine's role in pregnancy outcome.

The Strathy Complex of the Scottish Caledonides is a bimodal association of amphibolites and siliceous grey gneisses that structurally underlies adjacent metasediments of the Moine Supergroup. Both rock units record a common polyphase Caledonian tectonometamorphic history. New elemental and radiogenic isotope data indicate that both end-members of the Strathy suite were derived from a depleted mantle source, that they are cogenetic and that they may have been related by crystal fractionation. δ18O values and their correlations with major and trace elements suggest that the protoliths were hydrothermally altered at temperatures below 200 °C. Tectonomagmatic discrimination based on relatively immobile elements and isotope systems, plus comparison with geochemically similar bimodal supracrustal associations elsewhere, strongly support the conclusion that the igneous protoliths of the Strathy Complex formed in an oceanic destructive margin setting. If TDM model ages of c. 1000 Ma approximate protolith crystallization, the Strathy Complex may have formed as juvenile crust in the peri-Rodinian ocean broadly contemporaneous with the Grenville orogenic cycle.

Various metals with different galvanic potentials are used to fabricate the microelectronic circuits. One of the most commonly used processes during integrated circuit manufacturing is the tungsten via fill. To obtain maximum interconnect density with low via resistance requires that metal-via overlap is essentially zero. Zero overlap with litho variations and thus misalignment may result in unlanded vias. Since the vias are used to connect various metal levels, a large number of these cases may occur causing device failures and thus yield loss. To study this problem a variety of test structures were studied and a new mechanism of corrosion was found. The tungsten corrosion observed in these structures was found to be photo-induced. In this paper we will discuss the mechanism of photoinduced galvanic corrosion that occurs between the aluminum and tungsten metal layers during microelectronic manufacturing.

Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is prevalent among schoolchildren in many countries. The relationship between
asymptomatic parasitaemia and children's cognitive functions was examined in a case control study and then in a natural
experiment. A group (n = 445) of asymptomatic parasitaemic boys were compared with a group of non-parasitaemic boys
(n = 142) matched for grade and school on their performance on a battery of cognitive tests. Two weeks later the
parasitaemic children were re-screened and 150 children of those who remained parasitaemic were matched for grade and
school with 150 children who were no longer parasitaemic. These children were then re-tested and their cognitive function
compared. Initially, after controlling for age, socio-economic background and nutritional status the parasitaemic children
performed worse than the non-parasitaemic children in fine motor function tests. There was no difference in change in
cognitive test scores between those who became non-parasitaemic and those who remained parasitaemic. However,
children who initially had the highest parasite density improved the most in 2 fine motor tests and a picture memory test.
We were unable to show a benefit from losing parasitaemia over a 2 week period, but it remains possible that parasitaemia
may affect cognition and longer term trials should be conducted.